Computer use, email, Internet and communications policy
A computer, internet and email policy with 40 paragraphs of down-to-
earth common sense to protect your business. Protects your
data, your reputation and your business and sets out a
model computer policy for any size of business
About this document
If your staff work with computers, there is always a risk that they might use it for non-work tasks
– checking their banking, checking their personal email messages, booking tickets to the football match, buying flowers for mother’s day and so on. There is little you can really do to stop this. However, one way of limiting misuse is to use a computer and email policy such as this. Of course the policy itself won’t stop the odd mischievous employee, however, if it is an ongoing problem and you know about it, this internet use policy can be your lifesaver in ensuring the employee stop.
There are many aspects of IT which require control at some level. It is always difficult to decide exactly what level of control you require. This document is drawn as much to prompt your decisions as to provide a model version. Make sure you incorporate this computer and communications policy into all employment contracts by reference (as in the Net Lawman contract documents). In this way employees are bound by the terms of the computer policy. If you change the terms, it is important to make them clear so that staff know exactly where they stand.
Use it now because misuse of an employer’s computer is now the number one reason for dismissal. This constitutes a gigantic waste of resources in lost management time spent in re-advertising and arranging temporary substitution.
Tribunal cases are frequently lost in circumstances where common sense dictates that natural justice favoured the employer. Invariably, a feature of the employee’s case was the employers failure to say what was and what was not permitted. Let us help you to avoid this trap.
Application
and features
Up to date e-mail policy
40 paragraphs of down-to-earth common sense to protect your business
Helps prevent compute misuse of every type
Protects your data, your reputation and your business
Covers staff out of office / using laptop
Helps protect you from tribunal claims arising from e-mail and Internet related disputes
Educates staff in best practice
Saves hours of individual explanation
Contents
Computer network use and constraints
Special provisions for laptops
Prohibited actions
Explanation of e-mail system
Comprehensive email management and control provisions
Prohibited actions
Changes permitted
Other communications issues
Example confidentiality footer
Word
Count (approximate):
Document: 2200
words
Explanatory notes:
800
words
Draftsman
This document is drawn and maintained by Net Lawman. It is real law in plain English.
